Camera Challenge

For this to make sense, please go read my sister's blog.

Joy and I do not have a DSLR camera, but I wanted to see if I could do it anyway. We have a Kodak Easyshare Z710. The results show two things. First, you can still do cool things without a DSLR. Second, you can see why DSLRs are worth their price.

The only part I was not able to do is f22. My camera only goes to f8.0. I was able to set all the other settings like my sister wrote.

Here is our Christmas tree. We refer to it as our Charlie Brown tree. We bought this tree our first Christmas together. One day we will get a bigger tree, but we love this tree because of the great memories we associate with it.

Go read my sister's instructions and post your results.

Merry Christmas!

Last night we went to the live nativity scene at the Assembly of God here in Searcy. While you are waiting in line to drive through it, they have big screens on the side of the church building with Christmas trivia and Christmas movie clips playing. You set your radio to a specific station and get the audio for the video screens (how cool is that!). We got Claira out of her carseat and she sat in my lap and watched the screen and played with all the buttons on the dashboard of the car. They also come by your window with hot chocolate.
We drove through Bethlehem and Claira stared out the window at all the people and animals moving around. They also give you a CD to narrate as you drive through. We listened to the CD and I commentated for Claira on everything that was going on. Pointed out the camels, tax collector, Herod sitting on his throne, the pregnant Mary with no room in the Inn, wise men, shepherds and then baby Jesus. I know it may not sound like that big of a deal but as a new mom it was huge. I get to tell my little girl all about Jesus!! It's my number one responsibility and I haven't been doing that great of a job so far. I can't wait until she can understand all that He is and what He has done for us.
I am so thankful HE is our King!

All you need is a box.

Claira and Carter have been playing with the box that the diapers came in all week. They have beaten on it like a drum, climbed in it, pushed it around the house, put things in it and dumped it out on their heads. It's been pretty funny. I think I am going to take all of Claira's Christmas presents back and just get her some more boxes. Why do we waste so much money on toys?

Happy Friday!

She's growing.

Claira at one month.



Claira today- 6 1/2 months.

I love Fall!

I don't know why it has taken me this long to realize how much I love this season of the year.

I started to realize it last year, I was pregnant and had a huge craving for Thanksgiving food. I'm not sure how many times I made Brandon eat turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie. I even helped serve the Thanksgiving meal in the school cafeteria so I could eat it for free! There is a restaurant in Searcy that serves this meal for the entire fall! I thought it was just a pregnancy thing... nope- I've already started craving it.

I love the beautiful falling leaves, the cool air (Claira loves the cool breeze- she laughed all the way from the car into Walmart today), long sleeved t-shirts, pumpkins, trick-or-treating (Claira slept the whole time in her stroller), mums, sleeping under a big heavy blanket, not turning on the AC/Heat, a crock pot full of chili, cuddling on the couch and watching football (Roll Tide!).

Hope you have a pumpkin pie filled weekend!

6 months on Wednesday!

I can't believe our little girl will be 6 months old this week. Oh, how time flies. Brandon and I have been thinking back to the day she was born and how fast our life changed and how great it is now. We are blessed far beyond what we deserve.
My top 6:
1. The way she wakes up in the morning- talking, smiling and now bouncing in the bed.
2. The fact that she said "MaMa" this past week!
3. The way she laughs- especially at Carter when the two of them are "talking" to each other.
4. The noises she makes when she is done drinking her bottle before she goes to bed.
5. Her dimples and the giant smile that comes with them.
6.The way her face lit up when she saw me today after Bible class.

Yesterday, we went to the pumpkin patch with Ben, Amy, Carter, Christy and Collin. Christy is becoming an amazing photographer. I am so glad we live close to family, especially when they take great pictures of my child.



Happy Fall!

Claira update on the past few weeks:
Grammy (and then Pa) came to visit.
Went to Atlanta to see Nonna, Papa and the rest of the Ellis family.
Tittle family progressive dinner.
Got her first two teeth in three days. (Lots of crying)
Went to her first Harding football game and tailgate party.
Slept all night- three nights in a row!
Started scooting all over the place (not crawling yet, but she can get where she wants to go).




Hanging with Grammy.

Loving on Pa.

Working on her second tooth.

Roll Tide with Nonna and Cousin Owen.

Enjoying the Bison football game.